Generally, we would not recommend any horizontal slat panel longer than 3.2m or 3200mm. Longer than this, and the slats become too weak and lack strength. We also suggest that panels longer than 2m or 2000mm use at minimum one slat support to increase panel strength.

Points to Note:

• 100mm slats are the strongest slat, and are more suitable to wider spans, followed by 65mm, and then finally 38mm being the weakest type of slat. Keep this in mind when deciding on the size of slat and width of your panels.

• If the panels are in High-Wind areas, you should consider reducing the span to increase the strength.

This is really up to you! Our slat products can be spaced at any distance you need, utilising our assorted packs of spacers. You can combine various size spacers to create any gap you require to suit the height of panel you need.

Points to Note:

• The smaller the gap you select, the more privacy the panel will offer, however the more material you will require, increasing the cost.

• If the panels are in High-Wind areas, consider selecting a larger slat gap, 20mm +, to reduce the area of the panel that is impacted by the wind.

• Your local council may have regulations on the permeability of fencing panels. If this is of concern to you, visit their website for more information, or give them a call.

The u-channel covers are directional, meaning they will only snap on in one direction.

1. Look at the cross sectional profile of the channel covers. You will notice that one side/leg is longer than the other.

2. The short side of the channel goes to the back of the u-channel, closest to the pier/post. The long side goes closest to the slats.

3. Once lined up, use a hammer and block of wood, starting from the top working your way down tapping the channel cover on. Using a clamp at at the top may help holding the cover in place if you are working solo.

Still won't go on?

• Very occasionally It may be due to uneven brickwork. Sometimes if the brickwork is uneven, the u-channels may be fixed in place, bowing in our out following the contour of the brickwork, making it difficult to get the channel cover on. If this is the case, if possible try loosening the fixings holding the u-channel to the brickwork, reducing the bow in the channel, and hopefully the covers will go on.

• If you have still had no luck, get in contact with us for further guidance. We are more than happy to help!

At minimum 3, however more won't hurt, especially with taller panels.

At minimum 1 on each side, however two on each side particularly with wider slats is common

We recommend 600mm into the ground when concreting posts.

The easiest way to work out the quantity of horizontal slats required, is by dividing the panel height by the sum of the slat and desired gap size.

For example, if the panel is to be 1000mm H, the slat selected is the 65mm in width, and the desired gap between slats is 10mm (10mm was selected as an example only, you can select any size gap you like) the quantity would be calculated by the following:

1000/(65+10) = 13.333

This panel would therefore be 13 slats high.

To verify this, we can calculate each component individually, noting that in a horizontal slat panel, there is always 1 less gap than there is slat. So for the panel with 13 slats high, there can only be 12 gaps.

13x65 = 845mm

12x10 = 120mm

Total: 965mm H.

Left as is, this panel will work out to 965mm exactly, opposed to the original 1000mm specified. If the a 35mm difference in height is not a concern, we would recommend proceeding as calculated. However, if you did want the panel to work out at exactly 1000mm H, the gap size will need to be adjusted as follows:

Panel height - total slats = total gaps

1000 - (13x65) = 155mm of total gaps between slats.

155/12 = approx 13mm gaps.

Therefore the gap size will need to be increased to 13mm for the panel to work out at exactly 1000mm H.

No the caps are not essential but do finish the job off nicely by covering the mill end of the u-channel.